Change video privacy settings

Update the privacy settings of your video to control where your video can appear and who can watch it.

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left-hand menu, select Content.
  3. Point to the video that you'd like to update. To see your live uploads, select the Live tab.
  4. Click the down arrows under 'Visibility' and choose Public, Private or Unlisted.
  5. Save.

Note: The default video privacy setting for creators aged 13–17 is private. If you're 18 or older, your default video privacy setting is set to public. Everyone can change this setting to make their video public, private or unlisted.

What are video privacy settings on YouTube?

Subscribe to the YouTube Creators channel for the latest news, updates and tips.

About privacy settings

Public videos
Anyone on YouTube can see public videos. They can also be shared with anyone using YouTube. They're posted on your channel when you upload them and can show in search results and related video lists.
Private videos

Private videos and playlists can only be seen by you and whomever you choose. Your private videos won't appear on the Videos tab on your channel homepage. They also won't appear in YouTube's search results. YouTube systems and human reviewers may review private videos for ad suitability, copyright and other abuse prevention mechanisms.

To share a private video:

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left menu, select Content.
  3. Click the video that you'd like to edit.
  4. Click the Visibility box and select Share privately.
  5. Enter the emails that you'd like to share your video with, then select SAVE.

Comments are not available on private videos. If you want to allow comments on a video that's not publicly available, change the privacy setting to unlisted.

Unlisted videos

Unlisted videos and playlists can be seen and shared by anyone with the link. Your unlisted videos won't appear on the Videos tab on your channel homepage. They won't appear in YouTube's search results unless someone adds your unlisted video to a public playlist.

You can share an unlisted video's URL. Those that you share the video with don't need a Google Account to see the video. Anyone with the link can also reshare it.

Feature Private Unlisted Public
Can share URL No Yes Yes
Can be added to a channel section No Yes Yes
Can show in search, related videos and recommendations No No Yes
Posted on your channel No No Yes
Shows in the subscriber feed No No Yes
Can be commented on No Yes Yes
Can show up in a public playlist No Yes Yes

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